MUSEUMS
History Museum & Historical Society of Western Virginia
The Historical Society of Western Virginia promotes regional history and provides educational services, research, and historic preservation at the History Museum of Western Virginia, the O. Winston Link Museum, Kegley Publications, and the Crystal Spring Pump Station.
Housed in Center in the Square, the History Museum's purpose is collection and preservation of material pertaining to the history of the area. Facilities cover approximately 16,850 square feet and include multiple exhibition galleries, a library, archival and collections storage, and an education workshop. The Museum's collection is now the largest repository (more than 20,000 objects) of material devoted to tracing the human history of Western Virginia, showcased in continuing and changing exhibitions. The Museum's Clare White Research Library holds volumes of the museum's books, manuscripts, photographs, papers, and ephemera; welcomes scholars and independent researchers; and is the site for conducted research for the Society's own books. The Kegley Publication Fund provides steady financial resources for these publications.
As part of its 50th anniversary, the HSWV embarked on a major renovation project that will be completed in conjunction with Center in the Square's renovations. Thus far, the Historical Society has completed refurbishment of its administrative offices, research library, and education workshop. The Watts Library is an excellent research facility housing a collection of 1,800 books, 8,000 photographs, 2,000 slides, 150 maps, 800 periodicals, and thousands of documents and manuscripts, including business records and family papers.
The Museum's Step Into The Past education programs are unlike any other history-oriented services offered in the Roanoke Valley. These programs were created to meet the requests of local teachers, P.T.A. representatives and youth group leaders for historical programming that is readily available and affordable to all. Step Into The Past consists of both Outreach and In-house Programs designed to fulfill many of the components of the Virginia Standards of Learning. The Museum reaches all economic ranges of students through outreach efforts to schools, providing student tours, and by serving a significant - and growing - number of homeschooled children.